June 2026

Congratulations to our 2026 Graduating PGY IV's and Fellows

This year’s Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Resident and Fellow Recognition Dinner was held at the Wisconsin Club on Thursday, June 4th. The evening provided an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of graduating residents Andrew Hua, MD, PhD; Sarah Meeuwsen, MD; Ryan Shields, MD; Paras Patel, MD; Brian Mikolajczyk, MD, PhD; Kristen Vaccaro, DO as well as graduating fellow Noelle Liska, DO. The Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation proudly congratulated these graduates as they embark on the next chapter of their careers.

Among the graduating residents, Dr. Andrew Hua will be pursuing a Sports Medicine Fellowship at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. Dr. Sarah Meeuwsen will remain at the Medical College of Wisconsin to complete a Comprehensive Neurorehabilitation and Spasticity Management Fellowship. Dr. Ryan Shields will continue his training through the Medical College of Wisconsin Pain Medicine Fellowship. Dr. Paras Patel will begin practicing General Physiatry at Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center. Dr. Brian Mikolajczyk will pursue fellowship training in interventional spine and musculoskeletal medicine within a private practice setting. Dr. Kristen Vaccaro will continue at the Medical College of Wisconsin through a Spinal Cord Injury Fellowship and has also received AANEM Fellowship Recognition for Neuromuscular Ultrasound and Electrodiagnostic Medicine.

The department also recognizes graduating fellow Dr. Noelle Liska. In August, Dr. Liska will begin a Pain Management Fellowship at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. She plans to integrate both neurotoxin and interventional pain procedures into her future practice to treat acute and chronic pain conditions.

The department extends its sincere congratulations to each graduate and wishes them continued success in their future endeavors.

A special thank you goes to Education Program Coordinator III Leah Pape for organizing this memorable event and helping make the evening a meaningful celebration of our graduates’ achievements.

From left: Graduating Residents Drs. Andrew Hua, Sarah Meeuwsen, Kristen Vaccaro, Ryan Shields, Paras Patel and Brian Mikolajczyk.

From left: Clinical Research Coordinator II Jaimy Pettit, Clinical Research Coordinator III Sarah Golus, Administrative Supervisor Monika Szczerba, Education Program Coordinator II Mary York and Education Program Coordinator II Haylee Hopp pose for a group photo together before the ceremony.

Dr. Diane Braza's Retirement Party 

Thank you to everyone who attended Dr. Diane Braza's retirement celebration held on the scenic 9th floor of the Medical College of Wisconsin on May 27th. The event provided a wonderful opportunity to honor Dr. Braza's remarkable career and celebrate her many contributions to MCW, the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and the field of rehabilitation medicine.

Dr. Diane W. Braza is a distinguished physician, educator, and leader in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R). She has served as a Professor in the Department of PM&R at MCW and led the department as Chair from 2012 to 2024. Board-certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Pain Medicine, and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, Dr. Braza has dedicated her career to the comprehensive management of neck, back, and spine-related disorders.

In 1995, Dr. Braza co-founded MCW SpineCare, a pioneering transdisciplinary spine care program that integrates surgical and non-surgical approaches to patient care. Throughout her career, she has advanced rehabilitation medicine through exceptional leadership, research, mentorship, and a steadfast commitment to interdisciplinary care. Under her guidance, the department experienced significant growth in clinical services, research productivity, and faculty development. Her influence has extended nationally through leadership roles with the Association of Academic Physiatrists and the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

In recognition of her outstanding contributions to patient care, education, research, and academic leadership, Dr. Braza received the Medical College of Wisconsin's 2025 Distinguished Serviced Award. We are grateful for her decades of service and lasting impact on our patients, learners, colleagues, and institution, and we wish her all the best in her retirement.

World Wheelchair Rugby Appoints Dr. Christopher White as Chief Medical Officer

World Wheelchair Rugby recently announced the appointment of Dr. Christopher White as its new Chief Medical Officer. Dr. White currently serves as Chair of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Medical College of Wisconsin and brings extensive expertise in spinal cord injury medicine, rehabilitation, and adaptive sports.

Throughout his career, Dr. White has remained deeply involved in adaptive athletics at the local, national, and international levels. His experience includes providing medical coverage for adaptive sports events, serving on medical and classification teams for the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, and helping develop classification systems for USA Wheelchair Football. He is also actively engaged in research involving adaptive athletes, including wheelchair rugby collision studies and concussion testing.

In his new role as Chief Medical Officer, Dr. White will help guide World Wheelchair Rugby’s medical strategy, with a focus on athlete welfare, anti-doping efforts, and advancing medical best practices within the sport.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. White on this outstanding accomplishment and exciting new role!

Dr. Shekar N. Kurpad Named President and CEO of MCW

Dr. Kurpad is a neurosurgeon and neuroscientist with extensive academic and system leadership experience. Since 2022, he has led WINS, integrating neuroscience efforts across MCW and its clinical partners. His career includes major contributions in spinal cord injury research, clinical innovation, education, and enterprise leadership, as well as oversight of large clinical service lines and significant growth in research funding and philanthropy.

At MCW, he previously served as Chair of Neurosurgery and Chief of Neurosurgery at the VA Medical Center, where he expanded departmental size, clinical reach, and research activity. The Board of Trustees highlighted his experience building integrated, multi-institutional programs and advancing academic medicine, clinical care, and discovery across the enterprise.

Research Day 2026

PM&R Research Day 2026 was held on Wednesday, May 6, from 12:00–4:00 PM in the Center for Cancer Discovery Multipurpose Conference Room. The event was a tremendous success, showcasing the outstanding work of our PGY IV residents and the strong engagement across the department.

Residents Paras Patel, MD; Sarah Meeuwsen, MD; Ryan Shields, MD; Andrew Hua, MD; Brian Mikolajczyk, MD; and Kristen Vaccaro, DO delivered impressive presentations that demonstrated both enthusiasm and expertise in their respective research areas. Faculty and resident attendees contributed to one of the most interactive and engaging Research Day sessions to date.

A special thank you to the faculty mentors who supported this year's PGY IV research projects: Dr. Heather Curtiss, Dr. John McGuire, Dr. Vaishnavi Muqeet, Dr. Vladimir Suric and Dr. Chris White. This work would not have been possible without their guidance, mentorship, and dedication to resident education.

The event was also made possible through the efforts of our PM&R staff, whose support with planning, setup, cleanup, and coordination ensured a seamless experience for all involved.

Overall, Research Day highlighted the department's strong culture of collaboration, scholarship, learning, and support. Congratulations to all who participated and helped make the event such a success. A huge shout-out to all of our residents! This was one of the most engaged audiences we have had for Research Day. The majority of the questions came from our residents, which was fantastic to see and reflected their genuine interest in supporting one another's work.

Poster Topics Presented:

Brian Mikolajczyk, MD

Presentation Title: 'The Role of Structured Injury Prevention Education in Recreational Pickleball Players: A Pilot Study'

Sarah M. Meeuwsen, MD

Presentation Title: 'Ultrasound Assessment of Spasticity in Acute Stroke Survivors'

Kristen Vaccaro, DO

Presentation Title: 'Review of Flap Occurrence in SCI-D VA MKE Database and Utilization of the LEAF Monitor System to Track Post-Flap Sitting Protocol'

Ryan Shields, MD

Presentation Title: 'Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Inhibitors May Reduce Pain in Patients with Spinal Cord Injury/Disorder'

Paras Patel, MD

Presentation Title: 'Acute Pain After Lumbar Radiofrequency Ablation and Its Effect on Overall Pain Relief at Follow-Up'

Andrew Hua, MD

Presentation Title: 'Assessing the Quantity and Quality of Collisions in Wheelchair Rugby'

FY27 INCOMING FELLOWS

The Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is pleased to announce that two recently graduated PGY-IV residents will be continuing their training within the department through fellowship programs.

Dr. Sarah Meeuwsen will remain with the department as a Spasticity Fellow, further advancing her expertise in the management of spasticity and related rehabilitation care. Dr. Kristin Vaccaro will pursue a Spinal Cord Injury Fellowship, focusing on the comprehensive care and rehabilitation of individuals with spinal cord injuries. 

The department is excited to support Drs. Meeuwsen and Vaccaro as they continue their professional development and contribute to the ongoing excellence of PM&R patient care, education, and research.

Congratulations to our Newly Matched Class of 2030 PM&R Residents!

 Congratulations to Rhiannon Shewczyk on her Promotion! 

Effective June 1, 2026, Rhiannon Shewczyk was promoted to the role of Administrative Associate within the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Rhiannon joined the Medical College of Wisconsin and the Department of PM&R in March 2022 as an Administrative Assistant Sr. Since that time, she has provided exceptional support to the department’s Medical Directors and providers, becoming a valued member of the PM&R team through her professionalism, dedication, and commitment to excellence. In her new role, Rhiannon will continue supporting the Medical Directors and providers while assuming additional administrative responsibilities that contribute to the department’s daily operations. This promotion reflects her many accomplishments and the significant contributions she has made to the department over the past four years. Rhiannon holds a bachelor’s degree in Conservation and Environmental Science and has a strong background in chemistry. A Milwaukee native, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Max, their three-year-old daughter, Penelope, and their family and friends. She also enjoys thrifting in her free time.

PM&R Philanthropy Case 

Please contact Meg Bilicki, Senior Director of Development  mbilicki@mcw.edu for more information.

To support Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation click on this link!

Department Mascot's Outfit for this Quarter

In this quarter’s newsletter, our favorite mascot, Randy the Rhino, shares a photo from his visit to Milwaukee’s PrideFest over the weekend, celebrating community, inclusivity, and pride.

The answer to the riddle below will be provided in our next newsletter. 

"How can you drop a raw egg from a height onto a concrete floor without cracking it?"

Answer to our last newsletter's riddle: "light"

Resilience Through Relationships

Stress Awareness Month serves as an important reminder that resilience is not built by “toughing it out” alone. Instead, it develops through the relationships we nurture in our everyday lives. When we speak up, share ideas, and lean on one another, we strengthen not only our own wellbeing but also the culture and communities around us.

Connection Makes Us Stronger

A growing body of research shows that supportive relationships are among the most powerful buffers against stress. Human connection has measurable effects on both physical and mental health, shaping how we experience and recover from challenges.

Studies published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine and Lifestyle Psychiatry suggest that individuals with strong social ties may live six to seven years longer on average than those with weaker connections. Beyond longevity, the quality of our relationships plays a critical role in day-to-day wellbeing.

High-quality friendships are associated with lower stress levels, improved emotional regulation, stronger immune function, and healthier aging. These benefits extend into the workplace as well. According to Gallup, employees who report having a best friend at work are more engaged and experience significantly lower levels of burnout.

Taken together, this research reinforces a simple but powerful truth: social support is not optional—it is a key predictor of resilience, helping individuals adapt more effectively and recover more quickly from stress.

Resilience Is Built in Relationship

Resilience is not a fixed trait; it is something we build through repeated, meaningful interactions with others. Every day offers opportunities to strengthen that capacity.

We build resilience when we speak up and share ideas that improve our environment. We strengthen it when we reach out for support or offer help to someone else. Even small moments—checking in with a colleague, sharing a laugh, or expressing appreciation—contribute to a stronger sense of connection. Over time, these micro-interactions create a foundation of trust and psychological safety.

In workplaces and communities where trust is consistently reinforced, people are more likely to feel supported, valued, and capable of managing stress. This sense of belonging becomes a protective factor during difficult times.

The Power of Small Actions

The good news is that building connection does not require large or dramatic efforts. It is shaped by small, consistent actions that signal care and presence.

A simple conversation can open the door to understanding. A quick check-in can change someone’s day. Offering support—or asking for it—can strengthen relationships in meaningful ways. These everyday behaviors accumulate, creating environments where resilience is shared rather than carried alone.

Call to Action

This Stress Awareness Month, take one intentional step to strengthen your circle. Reach out to a colleague, start a conversation, share an idea, or simply check in with someone you might not have spoken to recently.

Resilience grows when we grow together. Every connection we invest in helps build a healthier, more supportive culture—one relationship at a time. For more information click here.

Featured Healthy Recipe - Vegetarian Avocado Veggie Sandwich

Ingredients:

•  avocado
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ lemon juiced
• Kosher salt to taste
• black pepper to taste
• 2 slices sandwich bread toasted
• 2 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese
• 3-4 tomato sliced (about ½ medium vine tomato)
• 7-8 cucumber sliced (about ¼ medium English cucumber)
• ⅛ medium red onion thinly sliced (or 7-8 pickled onion slices)
• 2 tablespoons alfalfa sprouts
• 2 tablespoons fresh arugula
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, mash avocado with garlic powder, and lemon juice. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

2. On one slice of bread, spread avocado mixture. Top with feta, tomato slices, cucumber slices, red onion, sprouts, and arugula.

3. One other slice of bread, spread Dijon and place this slice, Dijon-side down, onto the sandwich. Slice in half and serve immediately.

*If you would like to share a favorite healthy recipe in next quarter's newsletter please email Rhiannon Shewczyk at Rshewczyk@mcw.edu

June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month

Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month is observed globally every June. Established by the Alzheimer's Association in 2014, the initiative aims to encourage global conversations about brain health and the fight to end Alzheimer’s and all other forms of dementia.

June Month-long Observations

• Black Music Month
• National Caribbean American Heritage Month
• Men's Health Month
• Pride Month (LGBTQ+)

Important June DE&I Calendar Dates:

• June 5 – World Environment Day
• June 14 – Race Unity Day
• June 12 – Loving Day
• June 12 – World Day Against Child Labor
• June 16 – Muharram Islamic New Year (Islamic) - Still estimated according to sources - based on moon
• June 19 – Juneteenth
• June 20 – World Refugee Day
• June 21 – Litha, Summer Solstice (Pagan)
• June 21 – National Indigenous Peoples Day (Canada)
• June 24 – St-Jean-Baptiste Day (Quebec)
• June 28 – Pride Day (LGBTQ+) - Varies by city

July is French-American Heritage Month

French-American Heritage Month is celebrated annually in July to honor the significant cultural, historical, and artistic contributions of French-Americans to the United States. This month highlights enduring ties, including the Revolutionary War alliance, and encourages celebrating French-American history, food, and traditions, often coinciding with Bastille Day. 

Important July DE&I Calendar Dates:

• July 1 – Canada Day (Canada)
• July 4 – Independence Day (USA)
• July 10 – Martyrdom of the Bab (Baha'i)
• July 11 – World Population Day
• July 14 – Bastille Day (French)
• July 14 – Non-Binary People's Day
• July 18 – International Nelson Mandela Day
• July 22-23 – Tisha B'Av (Jewish)
• July 24 – Pioneer Day (Mormon)
• July 26 – National Disability Independence Day
• July 29 – Asalha Puja Day (Buddhism)

August is National Civility Month

National Civility Month is observed every August to promote kindness, empathy, and respectful interactions in communities and workplaces. Founded in 2014 by the International Institute for Civil Leadership, it encourages, it encourages people to consciously choose empathy and respect to improve societal harmony and combat rising incivility.

Important August DE&I Calendar Dates:

• August 1 – Lughnasadh (Wicca/Paganism)
• August 2 – International Day of Friendship
• August 7 – Purple Heart Day
• August 9 – International Day of the World's Indigenous People
• August 13 – Left-Handers Day
• August 17 – Marcus Garvey Day (Jamaican)
• August 19 – World Humanitarian Day
• August 21 – Senior Citizens Day
• August 27 – Obon (Buddhism)
• August 26 – Women's Equality Day

COVID-19 Guidelines 

MCW and our affiliate hospital partners are committed to containing the spread of COVID-19 and its variants. MCW includes COVID-19 vaccination in our Mandatory Vaccination Program requiring students and learners who participate in clinical care to be fully vaccinated or have an approved exemption accommodation to be considered compliant. The COVID-19 vaccine requirement has been discontinued for employees effective June 13, 2023, following recent guidance from the CDC and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). 

Learners who participate in clinical care will submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination prior to commencement of their educational program at MCW or MCWAH (residents). To be compliant, individuals must have received both doses of a two-dose vaccination.

To submit proof of vaccination, please send a picture or screenshot of one of the following documents to IOHCovid@froedtert.com:

• CDC vaccine card
• Epic record
• Wisconsin Immunization Registry record (or other state registry)

MCW continues to strongly recommend COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters to protect against COVID-19, but vaccination is not required as a condition of employment with MCW. While COVID-19 vaccination is no longer required for employees at this time, MCW reserves the right to modify requirements under this program at any time.

Learners who obtain boosters somewhere other than Froedtert IOH should submit their documentation to IOHCovid@froedtert.com with the subject line, “ COVID Vaccine Records.” Additionally, School of Medicine and School of Pharmacy students should upload documentation to CastleBranch, and Graduate School students should email it to Angela Backus.

You can learn more information here.

Medical College of Wisconsin |  8701 Watertown Plank Road  |  Milwaukee, WI 53226
You are receiving this email because you are subscribed to PM&R emails.
 © 2022 Medical College of Wisconsin. All rights reserved.

MCW.EDU     |     INFOSCOPE     |     CONTACT US

Connect to MCW on Social